Closing Time: Red Sox bats go silent in loss to the Orioles

The Red Sox couldn’t creep over .500, dropping a 4-1 decision to the Orioles Tuesday night at Camden Yards. With their record at 21-22, the Sox still have yet to claim more wins than losses this season.

Doing in the Red Sox this time was Baltimore pitching, which allowed just two hits. Leading the way for the Orioles was starter Brian Matusz, who allowed one run on two hits over 6 1/3 innings, striking out nine and walking one. The two hits were a season low for the Red Sox

Taking the loss was Felix Doubront, who turned in a solid six innings, striking out nine, walking one and allowing two runs on four hits. Doubront’s biggest miscue came in the second inning when Steve Tolleson hit his first home run of the season, giving the hosts and early two-run lead.

Here is what went wrong (and right) in the Red Sox’ loss:

WHAT WENT WRONG

– Matusz, who ended up throwing 101 pitches, completely controlled the Red Sox. It was a huge change for the lefty, who had allowed six runs in 1 2/3 innings the last time he faced the Sox (Sept. 19, 2011).

– The second-best bullpen in baseball befuddled the Red Sox after Matusz’ departure, with Darren O’Day, Pedro Strop and Jim Johnson holding the Sox scoreless for the final 2 2/3 innings.

– The team with the most home runs in the majors added to its total with two more, with Wilson Betemit following up Tolleson’s blast with at two-run homer against Red Sox reliever Matt Albers in the eighth. The insurance run for the O’s spoiled what was shaping up as a solid outing for Albers, who had come on to strand runners on first and second by fanning both Robert Andino and J.J. Hardy.

– The Red Sox 12 strikeouts were the third most they’ve had in any game this season. The Sox also managed to only get one player into scoring position all night.

WHAT WENT RIGHT

– Kevin Youkilis made a triumphant return, taking credit for the Red Sox’ only run with a fourth-inning, two-out home run against Matusz. It was Youkilis’ third home run of the season, and first since April 26.